Andrew Bonar reflects on the passage of time and the nearing end of his life, expressing a hopeful outlook towards the future while acknowledging the sadness of looking back. He emphasizes that knowing Christ enhances our experience of heaven on earth and wishes for peace and usefulness for his daughter-in-law Mary and her husband James in the coming year. Bonar also humorously comments on a post-card case designed by them, appreciating its practicality and brevity, which he likens to James' concise letters.